The Coastwatchers Association sees the new Eurobodalla Local Environmental Plan, currently being prepared, as the last chance to achieve sustainable population growth in the Shire.

"Council now has the information to ensure that land use in rural and urban parts of the Shire matches the environmental capacity and infrastructure of the proposed growth areas," says Jenny Edwards, Coastwatchers' secretary. "Our Association believes the new plan will be vitally important and we've been surveying members with email so we can feed their comments into our submission on the draft Urban Settlement Strategy that is now on exhibition."

Survey results

All respondents wanted settlements to be kept separate with rural land, or preferably viable bush habitat for wildlife between. Bushland on the coast and in very visible locations was also frequently mentioned as needing protection.

Everyone indicated a willingness to have higher population density in town centres and medium density in nearby surrounding suburbs provided it is well planned. Water, sewage, stormwater controls, transport and the environmental capacity of the land also need to be appropriate.

However there was a big difference of opinion about what should be the maximum height of buildings in town centres. Some favoured well designed buildings to 5 storeys with lower buildings near waterfronts. Most wanted a 2-3 storey maximum in the towns and 2 storey maximum elsewhere.

Most thought that higher densities would only be acceptable if there were more features such as public open space, pedestrian precincts with shade and seating, cycleways, suitable recreation facilities, viable vegetation corridors and underground power to allow street plantings of native trees.

One respondent suggested that the open space in towns should be plazas surrounded by a mixture of town houses, villas, apartments and shops as in the South of France or Tuscany. There would be no shopping centres and no major supermarkets.

All agreed that new developments should have to provide off street parking not just pay a fee to Council instead. Improved public transport was also seen as necessary.

There was a big difference of opinion about minimum lot sizes in other urban settlements such as Surf Beach to Broulee, South Head Moruya, Tuross and Dalmeny to Kianga. While some accepted the idea of smaller lots many were concerned that reduced lot sizes would mean the loss of trees, birds and other wildlife. Some thought smaller lots would be acceptable as long as the space taken up by buildings was similarly reduced.
When it came to considering multiple dwellings constructed on a large site in these outer urban areas most respondents agreed that this type of development would be acceptable provided they were well-designed and small scale. They should be environmentally sound and feature better solar access, water efficiency and the like.
There was unanimous agreement that precedents set by variations to the current planning guidelines, such as over-height or over-large buildings, should not guide decisions under the new plan. We should start with a clean slate.

Nearly all the respondents said that development in villages surrounded by National Park (such as Mystery Bay, Congo and Durras) should have special requirements. Suggestions included lower
density housing, designs that are environmentally sound and blend in with their surrounds, and retention of native vegetation.

Regarding Council's proposals for the publicly owned land between Broulee and Moruya River most respondents were opposed. They thought the major hospital, aged-care facilities, large recreation facilities such as an aquatic centre, or cultural facilities such as an arts centre, would be better located in a major town.

One respondent summed up for most of the others -- Council land is our land held in trust by the Council. Why do they feel it is necessary to sell it off? They are promoting the natural beauty of the area for tourism. Why spoil it with further development?

More Comments invited

Personal submissions can be sent to the General Manager, Eurobodalla Shire Council, PO Box 99, Moruya NSW 2537 or emailed to council@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should quote the reference no 03.7505 and be lodged by 11 November 2004.

Jenny Edwards
Secretary,
The Coastwatchers Assoc Inc